Cheapest Audio Interface for just Guitar Recording

[newbie_here]

Hello.

Well, i think the title kind of says it all.

At first I was considering the Toneport UX1 as adviced on a previous topic... but there is a problem and it comes out it only has a "stereo out" line, so I think that is dolby 2.1, and since Im getting a set of 5.1 speakers, i dont want to render them useless.

So what the heck, Ill use the onboard soundchip

Intel High Definition 8 Channels Audio
7.1

6 audio jacks (Line In / Line Out / MIC In/Surround Speaker Out (Rear Speaker Out)/Center/Subwoofer Speaker Out/Side Speaker Out)

I think anyway the sound might end up being the same thing as the audiophile or the toneport (likely I will not "perceive" amazing changes as this might be just placebo).

So, I need just an audio interface that I can plug in my guitar into (and the onboard one wont do as it doesnt have the Hi-Z thingy).
As on how to plug it in, beats me, I guess these are all USB audio interfaces, I dunno.

Anyhow, I was checking the Audiobuddy as I saw it mentioned on another post in the aforementioned topic.
Isnt there any cheaper device?

I will just need 1 guitar and that's it, no microphone, I dont care about "effects" built-in (as I might end up just using my pedals and amp). Something cheap and that is better than plugging my guitar by means of a male-2-female (or vice-versa) 1/4" to RCA or whatever it is (aka, my guitar cable into the line in of my onboard card).

Thanks for your help

[Laguna Rising]

what about a Stealth Plug ??

[newbie_here]

Laguna Rising, thanks for your reply.

Unfortunately, I screwed it up, big time. I think what I need is a mixer?

Basically the problem with the UX1 is that it becomes the default soundcard... so Im not willing to unplug it every time I want to watch one of my DVDs or play my games (for the 5.1 that is provided by the onboard soundchip), disabling it, enabling the other etc.

So I need something that co-exists with my onboard soundchip, and from a quick check unfortunately the Stealth Plug acts as a soundcard
And it pretty expensive, more than the AudioBuddy (Maybe because of the Amplitube2/whatever VST included).

[vonRed]

http://audioen.terratec.net/modules.php ... cle&sid=29 should be exactly what you need. Other cheap mic-preamp thingies should work too.

[RichLum]

You should be able to set your onboard soundcard to the Windows default sound device and use that for all your windows stuff and then just use the UX1 (or any other soundcard) in your recording software...

I have an SB live and an Edirol DA2496 in my PC and have the Live set as my windows card for windows sounds and playback via media player and winamp etc.

I set the Edirol card as the device in Reaper and Cool Edit etc.

[Dominus]

I had a TonePort UX2 and an M-Audio 24/96, no problems with them co-existing, TonePort was only for guitar input, everything else was routed through the 24/96.

[newbie_here]

I investigated a little bit, and apparently as you guys said, yeah, I can use the UX1 for recording and the other for playback in my games and DVDs etc..

So, Ill order the toneport, since it overall leaves a good impression on people (for instance in my previous topic).
I saw other alternatives (they had to be WAY cheaper) like the terractec or audiobuddy etc... but in the end I just figured out in the long run (maybe Ill hook up a dynamic mic soon), the UX1 was the best choice.

Thanks a lot for your time

[Lunch Money]

The UX2 has been awesome for me. The UX1 is identical except for the in/out options, and you've already identified that the UX1 has more than enough for what you need. So, I think you'll be very happy-- it'll be nice to have the OPTION to use the amp sims even if you generally prefer the real deaGreg

[vonRed]

I investigated a little bit, and apparently as you guys said, yeah, I can use the UX1 for recording and the other for playback in my games and DVDs etc..

So, Ill order the toneport, since it overall leaves a good impression on people (for instance in my previous topic).
I saw other alternatives (they had to be WAY cheaper) like the terractec or audiobuddy etc... but in the end I just figured out in the long run (maybe Ill hook up a dynamic mic soon), the UX1 was the best choice.

Thanks a lot for your time

For the long run, the UX1 wouldn't be my choice at all. The UX2 might be, though I didn't get one in the end. The most important thing both have going for them is the software -- by all accounts it's great. If you're not interested in the software, then for the same price as you can get a PCI card plus a preamp. If you're satisfied with the recording quality of your current onboard sound, then just get a preamp. You can get something like http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/TubeMP/ if it has to be really cheap.

I'm not knocking the toneport, but it does have a number of limitations which make it not for everyone.

[Lunch Money]

I have to disagree. I had ("have" actually -- loaned it to my dad) an Audiophile 2496 plus a TubeMP, so the PCI plus preamp solution you're recommending. The sound quality was overall poor compared to just the TonePort. The Tube in the TubeMP is just a starved plate design, and is cosmetic more than anything (and so that they can say "real tube!" on the box) but it's actually a poor preamp and rather noisy. Not as noisy as, say, the "Invisible Mic Pre" (har har!) on a Behringer Eurorack desk, but pretty noisy.

The TonePort replaced that setup easily and handily. Even without the software, the TonePort is a capable soundcard with good converters and stable drivers.

On paper, PCI is a better solution. On paper, the option for 24/96 without worrying about USB bandwidth is a good thing. On paper, a tube and a metal chassis is better than a plastic unit with mediocre physical ruggedness. But in practice, the TonePort delivered the goods, while the 2496+TubeMP was left looking poor by comparison. I say this after having used both extensively for decent periods of time.

Greg

[RunBeerRun]

As far as cheap, I know Behringer makes a 1/4" to USB cable intended for guitar.

Might want to check it, if price is the question. And then get a used one on Ebay.

[vonRed]

I have to disagree. I had ("have" actually -- loaned it to my dad) an Audiophile 2496 plus a TubeMP, so the PCI plus preamp solution you're recommending. The sound quality was overall poor compared to just the TonePort. The Tube in the TubeMP is just a starved plate design, and is cosmetic more than anything (and so that they can say "real tube!" on the box) but it's actually a poor preamp and rather noisy. Not as noisy as, say, the "Invisible Mic Pre" (har har!) on a Behringer Eurorack desk, but pretty noisy.

The TonePort replaced that setup easily and handily. Even without the software, the TonePort is a capable soundcard with good converters and stable drivers.

On paper, PCI is a better solution. On paper, the option for 24/96 without worrying about USB bandwidth is a good thing. On paper, a tube and a metal chassis is better than a plastic unit with mediocre physical ruggedness. But in practice, the TonePort delivered the goods, while the 2496+TubeMP was left looking poor by comparison. I say this after having used both extensively for decent periods of time.

I don't think I've heard guitars recorded through the TubeMP, though it works very nicely for bass, and the starved plate tube can help there. I do own the Terratec thingie and it's plenty quiet, no tube either. It does have a metal casing but it still weighs next to nothing. Amazingly, the cheapest mic/instrument preamps all seem to have a tube.

USB soundcards have the major advantage of working with pretty any PC, as well, though if you've got a bunch of USB devices hooked up things can get trickier and the Toneport can't do 96kHz and lacks digital I/O.

My main point though, which kinda got lost (happens to me a lot) is that if the cost is a major concern and you already have a soundcard that's OK, getting a preamp is much cheaper, and you can upgrade the soundcard when needed (or when you've saved some more).

I did end up getting a PCI card and external preamps. I needed 96/192kHz (for programming, not recording), could use S/PDIF I/O, and I already have a bunch of USB devices, some of which refuse to work through a hub. On paper, my setup also has better specs than the Toneport does, though that wasn't a concern since the Toneport is plenty good enough.

I also still have the onboard sound enabled, it's the default Windows soundcard so I can shut up all unimportant sounds by pushing a single button, it's bliss.

[newbie_here]

vonRed, thanks for your suggestion, looks nice but however I ordered the UX1 already so there is no turning back

In the end I decided to go for the UX1 because well, suits my current needs. You see, Im a programmer, thats what I do for a living, so this whole music "production" thing, is just a hobby, just like playing my electric guitar, I dont expect any monetary retributions at all.

So for now I think Ill do fine with the UX1, likely Ableton Live (still have to take that though decision) and EZDrummer.

In the future, shall I encounter myself really enjoying music composition and production, I might opt for a "better" choice, and that's not gonna be a simple soundcard upgrade, but maybe getting a $300 US audio interface, maybe a mixer and so on

Time will tell I guess.

[Mutant]

Sound Blaster Live 128

http://www.ultimatemetal.com/forum/5986961-post30.html

http://www.ultimatemetal.com/forum/5987206-post34.html